Internal appeal against dismissal

Letter appealing internally against a dismissal decision, framed by reference to the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. Failure to follow ACAS can attract a 25% Tribunal uplift on compensation.

Draft template. This letter is being reviewed by a regulated solicitor before publication. You can use it now as a starting point, but read the surrounding guide carefully and consider getting free legal advice before sending.

You must appeal internally before going to the Tribunal in most cases — failure can reduce compensation by up to 25%. Send by email and post; keep proof. Start ACAS Early Conciliation in parallel within the 3-month-less-1-day window, in case the internal appeal fails or takes too long. Free representation: FRU, Bar Pro Bono Unit, union, Citizens Advice.

AI cross-check (2026-06-15) — pending regulated solicitor sign-off

This letter cites the following authority, which the AI has checked against current GOV.UK / legislation.gov.uk:

  • ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures: currently in force (2015 edition, last reviewed 2015); no material revision as of 2026-06-15. The right to be accompanied is under section 10 Employment Relations Act 1999.
  • 25% Tribunal uplift: correct under section 207A Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (inserted by Employment Act 2008). Uplift applies to any award where failure to follow the ACAS Code is unreasonable.
  • 3-month-less-1-day Tribunal time limit: confirmed under section 111(2) Employment Rights Act 1996 from the effective date of termination. ACAS Early Conciliation pauses ("stops the clock" on) this period — confirmed under section 207B ERA 1996 as amended by Employment Tribunals Act 1996.
  • Right of appeal and companion: sections 10–12 Employment Relations Act 1999 — currently in force; no material amendment.

Reviewer focus areas: (1) Confirm whether the Employment Rights Bill (currently progressing through Parliament in 2026) has altered the Tribunal time limit — proposals to extend to 6 months may be in force by now. (2) Check whether any ACAS Code revision has been issued following the Employment Rights Bill. (3) The letter's reference to "ACAS Early Conciliation pauses the clock" should be verified in the context of any post-2025 legislative changes.

This AI cross-check is an aid only; final sign-off requires a regulated solicitor.

Your details

For example: "Conduct sanction disproportionate to allegation. No prior warnings considered. Mitigation not weighed. Inadequate investigation."

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Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. You should seek qualified legal help if your situation requires it.